Snowboard And Ski To Your Heart's Content In Sestriere

Sestriere is at the epicentre of the region known as the Vialattea and features more than 400kms of runs over 146 slopes. The resort is set in a natural amphitheatre carved out of the surrounding mountains and offers one of the best value-for-money ski experiences in Italy. The resort hosted the 1997 Alpine World Championships. Its high altitude ensures top-class snow cover and guaranteed sunshine.

The resort of Sestriere is one of the first purpose-built ski resorts in Italy, with the architecture reflecting a modern, functional attitude. This is juxtaposed against the stunning scenery surrounding the resort, which lies within the vast Vialattea region. The many restaurants, bars and facilities give the resort a certain flair, due to the large Italian clientele who are ever-present.

Due to its location within the Vialattea, Sestriere has access to 400kms of slopes over 146 runs. Perfectly suited to skiers at an intermediate level, the resort offers 29 per cent of runs to the beginner, 50 per cent to intermediates and 21 per cent to the expert.

The longest slope at the resort is five kilometres long and the resort is serviced by 92 lifts with an uplift capacity of 70,900 skiers per hour. The highest lift is at an elevation of 2,840m and the lowest is at 1,840m. Fifteen kilometres of cross-country trails plus a snowboard park complete the facilities at Sestriere. Innovative ski schools with access for children, plus night skiing are also provided by the resort.

The season runs from December to April, with great conditions throughout the season due to its high position. Sestriere is 112kms from Turin International Airport, the nearest to the resort, with a short train journey direct to the station at Oulx and bus service from there.

Skiing In Sestriere

One of the first purpose-built ski resorts in Italy, situated within a natural amphitheatre and surrounded by staggering mountain ranges, Sestriere offers access to 400kms of captivating skiing and a characteristic Italian ambience.

Sestriere was host to the 1997 Alpine World Championships The resort is functional and situated among some of the finest scenery in the area. An array of accommodation opportunities plus a large number of fine restaurants, lively bars and impressive boutiques give the resort a distinct flair.

The resort of Sestriere has enviable access to 400kms of slopes over 146 runs. The focus here is on intermediate level with 50 per cent of runs suitable for this level; additionally, 29 per cent of runs go to the beginner and 21 per cent to the expert. The longest slope at the resort is five kilometres and the resort is serviced by 92 lifts with an uplift capacity of 70,900 skiers per hour.

The highest lift is at an elevation of 2,840m and the lowest at 1,840m. The resort has a total vertical drop of 1,000m. A further 15kms of cross-country areas plus a well managed snowboard park complete the facilities on offer at Sestriere. Innovative ski schools with access for children, plus night skiing are also provided by the resort.

The season runs from December to April, with fantastic conditions throughout, due to its high elevation. A pass bought at Sestriere equips you with one full day of skiing at any of the nine other resorts in the Vialattea domain.

Sestriere is 112kms from Turin International Airport, the nearest to the resort with a short train journey and bus transfer available. Alternatively, you can catch the Eurostar service from London to Paris, and then the overnight train from Paris to Turin. From there, a train and bus service gets you straight to the resort.

Apres-ski In Sestriere

The village of Sestriere has some interesting accommodation options, including purpose-built circular towers left over from the world championships. There are 33 restaurants serving Italian, French and traditional cuisine, 30 bars, a nightclub and 40 shops to keep visitors busy with a typically chic Italian après-ski. The resort also provides some optional non-ski activities which include: bowling, ice-skating, paragliding, sauna and hot tubs as well as a gym and sports centre.

As well as the ski facilities at the resort, Sestriere is known for its wide variety of classy dining options, chic bar and nightclub entertainment, plus stylish shopping opportunities. The resort also provides an array of leisure facilities and alternative activities off the slopes, which range from bowling, ice-skating and paragliding to hot tubs, sauna, gym and a sports centre.

The resort of Sestriere sits among a collection of nine other resorts in the Vialattea region, four of which are completely linked to Sestriere. These include the well known resorts of Claviere, Italy's oldest ski resort, and Sauze d'Oulx, the perfect destination if you are looking for something livelier in terms of après-ski

Transportation To Sestriere

Sestriere is situated close to the French border and 112kms from Turin International Airport. You can reach the resort via an air and rail combination, or alternatively by car. The easiest, most convenient option is to fly to Turin and catch a train direct to the train station at Oulx, from where there is a short bus transfer to the resort. Alternatively, catch a Eurostar to Paris, connect with the night train to Turin, and again take a train from Turin to Oulx, with a short bus transfer.

By car, Sestriere is 978kms from Calais, with a driving time of 9 hours, 15 minutes. The journey will cost €86 in road tolls and will take you through France and on into Italy. If you fly to Turin and plan to hire a vehicle, access by road to the resort is via the A32 motorway to the Oulx tollbooth, then 22kms following the signs to Sestriere.

By train, board the Eurostar service, which departs from London Waterloo and Ashford in Kent to Paris. Then continue on to Turin from Paris aboard the night train with sleeper facilities. At Turin, continue on to the resort via a train to Oulx station and a short bus trip to the resort. The journey from London to Turin will take you around 11 hours, with a further hour from the station at Turin to Oulx.

The nearest international airport to Sestriere is Turin, 112kms from the resort. Fly to Turin Airport and head for the train station where you can catch a train via the Torino-Bardonecchi line to Oulx. From there, it's short bus journey direct to the resort.